Each of these stories demonstrate one or more of the 8 strategies of our Local Economy Framework in action. Learn how localists are creating positive change — personally, in their businesses, and in their communities.

Derrick Braziel used his first BALLE Fellowship immersion to seek wisdom, advice, and encouragement from peers and elders leading into a big meeting with the City of Cincinnati. He and the MORTAR team went home with funding for their incubator – and a new co-working space.

Local Works, a co-working space in Charleston run by Lowcountry Local First and BALLE Fellow Jamey Haley, has helped 42 entrepreneurs grow their local businesses and generate $16 million in revenue before reaching year two of the space, creating a strong community of entrepreneurs in the process.